ALJ716 - Writing the News
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne), Online Trimester 3: Burwood (Melbourne), Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Janine Little Trimester 3: Janine Little |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | ALJ729, ALJ728 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour on-campus seminar per week |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | 1 x 2-hour online seminar per week |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150-hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
In this unit, you will learn the essential journalistic skills needed to produce engaging, publishable news and feature stories. You will gain insights into what makes news, how to research and interview for news stories, and how to write in news style for print and online publication. You will also develop your skills in feature writing, paying particular attention to background research and locating sources for creating longer form journalism. Pitching story ideas to editors and writing as a freelancer are also topics you will learn about in this unit. Writing the News will equip you with many of the practical skills and techniques that you need to get started as a journalist in the contemporary media landscape.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Investigate issues and topics of public interest in order to produce newsworthy stories suitable for print and online media | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | Evaluate the credibility and value of a wide range of sources and apply innovative approaches to news research | GLO4: Critical thinking |
| ULO3 | Structure and write effective copy within the parameters of news and feature presentation | GLO2: Communication |
| ULO4 | Pitch ideas for news stories that would interest a contemporary media audience, seeking and giving constructive feedback to others in the learning community | GLO2: Communication GLO7: Teamwork |
These Unit Learning Outcomes are applicable for all teaching periods throughout the year.
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1: Short news stories and reflection | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 2: News pitch | 2 minute video pitch | 20% | Information not yet available |
| Assessment 3: Feature article | 2000 words or equivalent | 40% | Information not yet available |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for ALJ716 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.